Frankfort District 157-C Hires New Principal for Chelsea School

The Frankfort School District 157-C Board of Education has chosen a current member of its faculty family as the new principal for Chelsea Intermediate School.

Grand Prairie Elementary School Assistant Principal, Dr. Sharon Paver-Nepote has been promoted to Chelsea Intermediate School Principal effective July 1, 2015. The Board of Education approved her for the position at its special Board meeting of April 29. She will replace Kristin Simpkins who has accepted a position as Principal of Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School in District 123.

“Sharon’s professionalism, great relationship with staff and strong background in education have served our District well for many years at Grand Prairie Elementary School,” said Superintendent Maura J. Zinni. “The Board and I believe that Sharon is an excellent fit for the Chelsea Intermediate School Principal position”

Dr. Paver-Nepote is already a familiar face in District 157-C where she has been the Grand Prairie Elementary School Assistant Principal since 2012. Prior to that, she served as a kindergarten through second grade teacher and a transitions teacher in the District from 2000-2012 and also taught at Mokena School District 159. She completed her Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership, with a Superintendent’s Endorsement, from the University of St. Francis. She earned two Master’s Degrees, one in Curriculum and Instruction and another in Educational Leadership, both from the University of St. Francis. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education from Governors State University and is a member of the Kappa Delta Pi and the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Societies.

Dr. Paver-Nepote is trained in the Illinois State Board of Education Performance Evaluation Reform Act (PERA) and has provided oversight on evaluation, supervision and retention of staff. She has served on the Parent/Student Handbook Committee for Section 504 Plans, led professional development and vertical articulation and assisted in the planning and preparation of staff institute days. She has led teacher and administrative teams through the Common Core implementation, curriculum planning, scope and sequence development and assessment design. She has presented induction sessions for new teacher orientation and organized family math and language arts nights. She has written successful grants for the district, developed a monthly school newsletter, conducted educational presentations to parents, worked with the Frankfort Fire and Police Departments to provide educational training for students and was responsible for building-level emergency procedures and drills.

As President of the Frankfort Teachers’ Association (FTA), Dr. Paver-Nepote worked collaboratively with the District 157-C Board of Education. This brought about positive and open dialogue between the FTA administration and the School Board during contract negotiations and resulted in the development of an Executive Council and Collaborative Council.

“Sharon’s strong leadership skills have already been witnessed at Grand Prairie,” said Dr. Zinni. “Her dedication to the District and her passion for excellence will serve Chelsea well as she begins her new role as Principal. We have very talented staff members here in District 157-C. We are pleased to promote from within our staff for this position to continue our ‘Tradition of Excellence’ for our Frankfort students. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Paver-Nepote on her new position.”